DFA Risk Management Relationships Manager

General Purpose:

At Dairy Farmers of America, you approach work each day knowing that you are making a difference by helping dairy farm families. As a DFA Risk Management team member, your goal will be to help dairy farmers, processors and customers understand and utilize risk management tools to achieve financial stability. Moreover, your role in the Southeast Area will require you act as a liaison between the farm-owners and the cooperative relating but not limited to the production of quality milk, information about and from the cooperative on dairy policy, pricing, government actions and the dairy industry in general. You will also be a key liaison with milk plants regarding shrink and quality issues.

You will build meaningful relationships within our team and across DFA, gain experience and knowledge in a rapidly growing industry, and take on significant responsibilities from day one in a supportive, collaborative environment. As the largest global dairy cooperative, DFA impacts people at every point of the supply chain, from farmers to consumers. The breadth and scope of DFA's operations are significant, and the opportunities for growth and development within DFA are substantial.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Keep communication lines current and open so that relationships with producers, haulers, customers, competitors, regulatory agencies, or the public can be maintained, developed and improved by all DFA staff.
• Establish your own schedule, and balance plans to attend meetings, take trips to visit our farmer-owners, and participate in events to work with farmers. Be available for after hour calls, on-call duty will be required including some weekends and holidays as needed.
• Build, establish and maintain strong relationships with DFA personnel, particularly those working with farm-owners in DFA's Areas. Develop strong working knowledge of a wide range of DFA products and services, including farm supplies, risk management tools, insurance and lending services.
• Demonstrate conceptual knowledge of theories, practices, programs and procedures within DFA Risk Management and DFA Southeast Area
• Maintain an understanding of market and business conditions and be able to draw conclusions from multiple streams of data
• Develop an appreciation and show active interest in developing an understanding of Dairy Farmers of America, including DFA's business, programs and services and philosophy, as well as those of the dairy industry
• Spend approximately 70% of your time support DFA farm-owners across the Southeast Area with DFA Risk Management programs and services
  
  
  
  • Showcase expertise in milk pricing economics and commodity price hedging practices
  • Lead projects as assigned relating to educating and informing DFA farmer-owners and internal stakeholders about markets and price risk management.
  
  
  
  
• This may involve developing outreach campaigns to promote and share educational content during farm visits, meetings and conferences
• Make and take calls to and from farmer-owners to engage in low levels of strategy development, assist in developing orders, following up on working orders, and staying engaged in building consistency
• Lead a significant subset of relationships with DFA farmer-owners in risk management services, providing concierge service as needed, engaging with them on a regular cadence, and with an approach that works for their dairy
• Present to small groups of farmer-owners and DFA employees on topics such as risk management, milk pricing, and dairy market dynamics
• Show willingness to take on leadership of efforts to continually improve DFA Risk Management programs and services, both for the farmer-owners in the Southeast Area and also across the entire business,
• Work collaboratively with others on the DFA Risk Management team to help all of our stakeholders understand and utilize risk management tools to achieve financial stability.
• Spend approximately 30% of your time supporting DFA farm-owners in South Georgia and Florida by
  
  
  
  • Offer expert advice on advanced dairy farming techniques, including herd management, nutrition optimization, reproduction strategies, and facility design. Leverage the latest research and innovations to improve efficiency and productivity on the farm
  • Promptly respond to all producer requests, questions or problems and pass on any pertinent or relevant information to your supervisor/manager.
  • Perform routine farm visits as often as required to ensure that farm conditions are such that any state or federal inspections or surveys could achieve a passing score.
  • Identify all dairy farmers who are not current members of DFA and introduce them to the programs, benefits and company profile of DFA. Maintain prospects lists and follow up often
  • Monitor all aspects of farm-owners' milk quality including component test results. Identify all members with problems and work with resources across DFA to provide them the technical expertise required to correct
  • Maintain consistent communications with milk haulers as needed, and work with regulatory agencies to ensure that haulers and their equipment are in compliance with all laws and regulations governing milk transport and deliveries.
  
  
  
  
• Participate and, at times, lead collaborative efforts across the cooperative, particularly with teams in Strategy & Insights, Farm Services and DFA Area Membership, to better connect efforts across One DFA.
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college, preferably in business or agriculture, or relevant work experience
• Prior knowledge or experience in risk management, agricultural commodity trading in the dairy industry preferred
• People or project management experience preferred
• 3+ years' of experience in the dairy industry
• Position location in Gainesville, Florida, or nearby region

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong communication style both orally and written that works to build consensus through communication across the chain with a broad spectrum of individuals
• Ability to deliver DFA's elevator pitch, as well as the DFA Risk Management elevator pitch
• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills that showcase understanding of a decision's impact on business and the ability to problem solve
• A collaborative mindset with an ability to lead and influence across the team
• Strong understanding and use of Excel, PowerPoint, Word & other programs and databases
• Ability to balance multiple projects from stakeholders across the business and across DFA
• High level of accountability for own projects and work, as well as team contributions and results
• A desire to be coached, as well an ability to coach and develop other team members
• Adaptable to changing business priorities, and shows ability to quickly change direction and challenge when appropriate
• Ability to organize, coordinate and execute job responsibilities in a timely manor
• Ability to understand and implement dairy rules as intended by regulatory agency
• Acts ethically in all matters, without exception, and adheres to the Value Integrity Code of Conduct
• Willingness to work flexible hours, as needed
• Travel between 75-100% of the time
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer